CA2056488A1 - Molded case circuit breaker combined accessory actuator-reset lever - Google Patents
Molded case circuit breaker combined accessory actuator-reset leverInfo
- Publication number
- CA2056488A1 CA2056488A1 CA002056488A CA2056488A CA2056488A1 CA 2056488 A1 CA2056488 A1 CA 2056488A1 CA 002056488 A CA002056488 A CA 002056488A CA 2056488 A CA2056488 A CA 2056488A CA 2056488 A1 CA2056488 A1 CA 2056488A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- unit
- circuit breaker
- accessory
- reset
- lever
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/1072—Release mechanisms which are reset by opening movement of contacts
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H71/00—Details of the protective switches or relays covered by groups H01H73/00 - H01H83/00
- H01H71/10—Operating or release mechanisms
- H01H71/12—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release
- H01H71/46—Automatic release mechanisms with or without manual release having means for operating auxiliary contacts additional to the main contacts
- H01H71/465—Self-contained, easily replaceable microswitches
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
- H01H2009/305—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts including means for screening for arc gases as protection of mechanism against hot arc gases or for keeping arc gases in the arc chamber
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H9/00—Details of switching devices, not covered by groups H01H1/00 - H01H7/00
- H01H9/30—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts
- H01H9/46—Means for extinguishing or preventing arc between current-carrying parts using arcing horns
Landscapes
- Breakers (AREA)
Abstract
MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER
COMBINED ACCESSORY ACTUATOR-RESET LEVER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Since industrial rated circuit breakers are often located remote from the associated protected electrical equipment it is often times necessary to monitor the operation of such electri-cal equipment by observing the condition of the circuit breaker contacts to ensure that such equipment remains operational.
When a plurality of such circuit breakers are mounted within a common enclosure, an auxiliary device within each of the circuit breakers readily provides visual indication of the ON-OFF condi-tion of the circuit breaker contacts. With such auxiliary de-vices, an actuator-reset lever is used to interface between the circuit breaker operating mechanism, the circuit breaker trip mechanism and the auxiliary device to activate the auxiliary device when the circuit breaker contacts are open and closed and to reset the trip mechanism when the circuit breaker contacts are opened.
COMBINED ACCESSORY ACTUATOR-RESET LEVER
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
Since industrial rated circuit breakers are often located remote from the associated protected electrical equipment it is often times necessary to monitor the operation of such electri-cal equipment by observing the condition of the circuit breaker contacts to ensure that such equipment remains operational.
When a plurality of such circuit breakers are mounted within a common enclosure, an auxiliary device within each of the circuit breakers readily provides visual indication of the ON-OFF condi-tion of the circuit breaker contacts. With such auxiliary de-vices, an actuator-reset lever is used to interface between the circuit breaker operating mechanism, the circuit breaker trip mechanism and the auxiliary device to activate the auxiliary device when the circuit breaker contacts are open and closed and to reset the trip mechanism when the circuit breaker contacts are opened.
Description
8 ~
MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER
COMBINED ACCESSORY ACTUATOR-RESET LEVER
BACKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION
The advent of field-installable accessories for use within industrial-rated circuit breakers has fostered khe increas~d use of such acc~ssories to provide remote indication o~ the operating conditions of related electrical equipment as well as prov'ding means for turning such ~quipment ON and OF~ from a remote location. U.S. Patent 4,754,.247 entitled "Molded Case Circuit Breaker Accessory Enc.losure" describes an industrial-rated circuit breaker that includes an accessory door for ~acilitating the field-installation o~ selected accessory units wit~in the circuit breaker cover.
U.S. Patent 4,757,294 entitled "Combined Trip Unit and ~coessoxy Module ~or Electronic Trip Circuit Breakers" des ribes a combined trip actuator mechanism and acces~ory unit ~or articulating the circuit breakPr operating mechanism and interfacing with the accessory unit for remote trip as w811 as trip indication function.
.
!, 2 ~
- 2 ~lP~-6868 U.S. Patent 4,794,356 entitled "Molded Case Circuit Breaker Auxiliary Switch Unit" describes an auxiliary switch unit that is mounted in the circuit breaker cover and interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to provide remota trip indication.
With higher-rated circuit breakers used with industrial equipment rated up to 1200 amperes continuous current, for example, a so-called "flux shifter", actuator device is required to articulate the powerful lo operating mechanism springs that are required with the heavier current-carrying components within the circuit breaker assembly.
U.S. Patent 3,693~122 discloses one such flux trans~er trip device for electronic trip units wherein the flux provided by a permanent magnet is opposed by a magneto-motive force produced by a solenoid winding. A
flux diverker interposed between the permanent magnet and the spring-based tripping armature provides instantaneous trip properties by effectively de-coupling the permanent magnet flux upon operation of the solenoid winding.
When a flux shifter-trip actuator device i~ used in combination with an auxiliaxy de!vice such as a bell alarm or auxiliary switch, for example, an interface unit is required for providing mechanical logic to the flux shifter unit, the auxiliary device ~nd the circuit breaker ~perating mechanism to ensure that the operating mechanism responds to interrupt the circuit current while the auxiliary device reacts at the same time to provide remote visual indication of such interruption event.
When such highPr-rated circuit interrupters include separate main and arcing contacts whereby the main contacts separate before the arc occurs between the axciny contacts some means must be used to promote the ~6~8 - 3 - 4lpR-6s6s transfer of the arc away from ~he arcing contacts.
Accordingly, one purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-functional actuator-reset unit to ensure that the operating mechanism ~reely responds to overcurrent conditions while such response is indicated via an auxiliary device. The actuator-reset unit also provides reset function to the flux shifter unit immediately following the overcurrent event.
Another purpose of the invention is to promote the transfer of the arc away from the arcing contacts upon contact separation under intense ovarcurrent conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-functional accessory actuator-reset unit is arranged within a circuit breaker enclosure to interact batween the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the flux-shifter trip actuator mounted within the circuit breaker case and the acce~sory unit mounted within the circuit breaker cover. The accessory actuator-reset unit is in the ~orm of a combined actuator-reset lever pivotally mounted to the flux sh.ifter unit. The circuit breaker movable contact arm crossbar unit cams the actuator-r~set lever and activates the accessory unit.
Release of the actuator-resat lever by the crossb~r automatically resets the flux shifter. An in~ulation fiber between tha fixed main and arcing contacts promotes the transfer of the arc to the arc runner when the circui~ breaker contacts become separated under intense overcurrent conditions.
~6~8~
MOLDED CASE CIRCUIT BREAKER
COMBINED ACCESSORY ACTUATOR-RESET LEVER
BACKGRO~ND OF THE INVENTION
The advent of field-installable accessories for use within industrial-rated circuit breakers has fostered khe increas~d use of such acc~ssories to provide remote indication o~ the operating conditions of related electrical equipment as well as prov'ding means for turning such ~quipment ON and OF~ from a remote location. U.S. Patent 4,754,.247 entitled "Molded Case Circuit Breaker Accessory Enc.losure" describes an industrial-rated circuit breaker that includes an accessory door for ~acilitating the field-installation o~ selected accessory units wit~in the circuit breaker cover.
U.S. Patent 4,757,294 entitled "Combined Trip Unit and ~coessoxy Module ~or Electronic Trip Circuit Breakers" des ribes a combined trip actuator mechanism and acces~ory unit ~or articulating the circuit breakPr operating mechanism and interfacing with the accessory unit for remote trip as w811 as trip indication function.
.
!, 2 ~
- 2 ~lP~-6868 U.S. Patent 4,794,356 entitled "Molded Case Circuit Breaker Auxiliary Switch Unit" describes an auxiliary switch unit that is mounted in the circuit breaker cover and interacts with the circuit breaker operating mechanism to provide remota trip indication.
With higher-rated circuit breakers used with industrial equipment rated up to 1200 amperes continuous current, for example, a so-called "flux shifter", actuator device is required to articulate the powerful lo operating mechanism springs that are required with the heavier current-carrying components within the circuit breaker assembly.
U.S. Patent 3,693~122 discloses one such flux trans~er trip device for electronic trip units wherein the flux provided by a permanent magnet is opposed by a magneto-motive force produced by a solenoid winding. A
flux diverker interposed between the permanent magnet and the spring-based tripping armature provides instantaneous trip properties by effectively de-coupling the permanent magnet flux upon operation of the solenoid winding.
When a flux shifter-trip actuator device i~ used in combination with an auxiliaxy de!vice such as a bell alarm or auxiliary switch, for example, an interface unit is required for providing mechanical logic to the flux shifter unit, the auxiliary device ~nd the circuit breaker ~perating mechanism to ensure that the operating mechanism responds to interrupt the circuit current while the auxiliary device reacts at the same time to provide remote visual indication of such interruption event.
When such highPr-rated circuit interrupters include separate main and arcing contacts whereby the main contacts separate before the arc occurs between the axciny contacts some means must be used to promote the ~6~8 - 3 - 4lpR-6s6s transfer of the arc away from ~he arcing contacts.
Accordingly, one purpose of the invention is to provide a multi-functional actuator-reset unit to ensure that the operating mechanism ~reely responds to overcurrent conditions while such response is indicated via an auxiliary device. The actuator-reset unit also provides reset function to the flux shifter unit immediately following the overcurrent event.
Another purpose of the invention is to promote the transfer of the arc away from the arcing contacts upon contact separation under intense ovarcurrent conditions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A multi-functional accessory actuator-reset unit is arranged within a circuit breaker enclosure to interact batween the circuit breaker operating mechanism and the flux-shifter trip actuator mounted within the circuit breaker case and the acce~sory unit mounted within the circuit breaker cover. The accessory actuator-reset unit is in the ~orm of a combined actuator-reset lever pivotally mounted to the flux sh.ifter unit. The circuit breaker movable contact arm crossbar unit cams the actuator-r~set lever and activates the accessory unit.
Release of the actuator-resat lever by the crossb~r automatically resets the flux shifter. An in~ulation fiber between tha fixed main and arcing contacts promotes the transfer of the arc to the arc runner when the circui~ breaker contacts become separated under intense overcurrent conditions.
~6~8~
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an industrial~rated circuit breaker incorporating the combined accessory actuator-reset unit according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cut-away side view oP the circuit breaker of Figure 1 depicting the circuit breaker trip actuator unit;
Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view o~ a part of the circuit breaker of Figure 2 depicting the acce~sory actuator-reset unit of the invention next to the circuit breaker trip actuator unit;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view o~ the circuit breaker of Figure 1 in partial section depicting the accessory actuatsr~reset unit according to the invention with the circuit breaker con~act~ separated;
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view in partial section o~ the circuit breaker of Figure 4 with the circuit breaker contacts engaged: and Figure 6 is a top parspectiwe view of the line strap used within the circuit brea~er of Figure 5.
DESCRIPTION OF TH~ PREFER~ED EMBODIMENT
An industrial-r~te~ circuit brea~er 10 is depicted in Figure 1 and consists of a molded plastic case 11 to which a molded plastic cover 12 is secur~ly fastened. An accessory cover 14 such as described within aforementîoned U.S. Patent 4,754,247 is used to provide access to the various circuit breaker accessories that are completely field-installable within the circuit breaker cov~r. An electronic trip unit 15 is also arranged within the circuit breaker cover ~or providing overcurrent determination as well as elactxonic accessory 4 ~ 8 function. One such ele~tronic trip unit i5 described within U.S. Patent 4,589,052. An externally accessible knob 16 is used for setting the circuit breaker trip parametexs. The compact circuit breaker is capable of providing circuit interruption at increased ampere ratings by the provision of a lug cover-exhaust chamber 13 which is arranged on the line end of the breaker proximate the incoming power cables 9. An operating mechanism 22 (Fi~ure 2) is used to interrupt the circuit current ~y the bias provided by a pair o~ powerful operating springs 23 such as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 546,826 filed June 29, 1990 entitled "Compact Molded Case Circuit Breaker with Increased Ampere Rating". All of the aforementioned U~S.
Patents and U.S. Patent Application are incorporated herein ~or reference purposes. Due to the increased loading force applied to the operating m0chanism by the operating springs, it is difficlllt to manually displace the circuit breaker operating handle 20 to turn the circuit breaker contacts 24, 25 tFigure 2) between their closed and open positions as well as to reset the circuit breaker operating mechanism. To increase the force acting on the operating handle, a retractable handle extension 21 is ~ixedly attached to the operating handle which allows the operating handle to swing freely within the handle access slot 19 and provid~ su~ficient force on the operatin~ mechanism to reset and to close the circuit breaker contacts. A visual access slot 18 is arranged through the cover next to the cover escutcheon 17 to visually ascertain the condition of the circuit breaker contact~.
The circuit breaker 10 shown in Figure 2 employs an operating mechanism 22 with associated operating springs 2 ~
Figure 1 is a top perspective view of an industrial~rated circuit breaker incorporating the combined accessory actuator-reset unit according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a cut-away side view oP the circuit breaker of Figure 1 depicting the circuit breaker trip actuator unit;
Figure 3 is an enlarged top plan view o~ a part of the circuit breaker of Figure 2 depicting the acce~sory actuator-reset unit of the invention next to the circuit breaker trip actuator unit;
Figure 4 is an enlarged side view o~ the circuit breaker of Figure 1 in partial section depicting the accessory actuatsr~reset unit according to the invention with the circuit breaker con~act~ separated;
Figure 5 is an enlarged side view in partial section o~ the circuit breaker of Figure 4 with the circuit breaker contacts engaged: and Figure 6 is a top parspectiwe view of the line strap used within the circuit brea~er of Figure 5.
DESCRIPTION OF TH~ PREFER~ED EMBODIMENT
An industrial-r~te~ circuit brea~er 10 is depicted in Figure 1 and consists of a molded plastic case 11 to which a molded plastic cover 12 is secur~ly fastened. An accessory cover 14 such as described within aforementîoned U.S. Patent 4,754,247 is used to provide access to the various circuit breaker accessories that are completely field-installable within the circuit breaker cov~r. An electronic trip unit 15 is also arranged within the circuit breaker cover ~or providing overcurrent determination as well as elactxonic accessory 4 ~ 8 function. One such ele~tronic trip unit i5 described within U.S. Patent 4,589,052. An externally accessible knob 16 is used for setting the circuit breaker trip parametexs. The compact circuit breaker is capable of providing circuit interruption at increased ampere ratings by the provision of a lug cover-exhaust chamber 13 which is arranged on the line end of the breaker proximate the incoming power cables 9. An operating mechanism 22 (Fi~ure 2) is used to interrupt the circuit current ~y the bias provided by a pair o~ powerful operating springs 23 such as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 546,826 filed June 29, 1990 entitled "Compact Molded Case Circuit Breaker with Increased Ampere Rating". All of the aforementioned U~S.
Patents and U.S. Patent Application are incorporated herein ~or reference purposes. Due to the increased loading force applied to the operating m0chanism by the operating springs, it is difficlllt to manually displace the circuit breaker operating handle 20 to turn the circuit breaker contacts 24, 25 tFigure 2) between their closed and open positions as well as to reset the circuit breaker operating mechanism. To increase the force acting on the operating handle, a retractable handle extension 21 is ~ixedly attached to the operating handle which allows the operating handle to swing freely within the handle access slot 19 and provid~ su~ficient force on the operatin~ mechanism to reset and to close the circuit breaker contacts. A visual access slot 18 is arranged through the cover next to the cover escutcheon 17 to visually ascertain the condition of the circuit breaker contact~.
The circuit breaker 10 shown in Figure 2 employs an operating mechanism 22 with associated operating springs 2 ~
- 6 ~ 41PR-6868 23 to drive the movable contact arm 33 and attaGhed movable contacts 24 away from the fix~d contacts 2S upon occurrsnce of an overcurrent condition. The cradle operator 2~ restrains the operating springs in the absence of any such overcurrent condition and becomes disengaged by means of a trip bar 31 to articulate the operating springsn The trip bar is contacted by means of a trip actuator ~7 in the form of a flux shi~ter as described within the aforementioned U.S. Patent 3,693,122 and basically comprises an electromagnetic coil 28 that releases the movable armature 30 under the bias provided by the power~ul compre~sion pring 29. Upon the occurrence of an overcurrent condition, a current pulse applied to the electromagnetic coil counteracts the magnetic holding force on the armature and allows the armature to be rapidly driven forward under the bias o~
the compression spring into contact with the trip bar to thereby release the cradle. In accordance with the invention, an accessory actuator and flux shi~ter reset unit 36 herea~ter "actuator-reset unit" interacts with the crossbar 32 on the movable c:ontact arm 33 and the trip actuator 27 to reset the ar~ature 30 against the hias provided by the compressiorl spring in the manner best seen by re~Prring now to the following Figures 3-5.
In Figure 3, the trip actuator 27 is viewed through the cover 12 of the circuit breaker 10 with the actuator-reset unit 36 attached to the trip actuator by means of a pivot pin 50. The actuator-reset unit 36 is positioned next to the trip actuator to allow free movemen~ 0~ t~e armature 30 into contact with the trip bar 31 when the electromagnetic coil 2~ becomes energized. The reset lever ~5 on the actuator-reset unit returns the armature to the reset position under the 20~48~
the compression spring into contact with the trip bar to thereby release the cradle. In accordance with the invention, an accessory actuator and flux shi~ter reset unit 36 herea~ter "actuator-reset unit" interacts with the crossbar 32 on the movable c:ontact arm 33 and the trip actuator 27 to reset the ar~ature 30 against the hias provided by the compressiorl spring in the manner best seen by re~Prring now to the following Figures 3-5.
In Figure 3, the trip actuator 27 is viewed through the cover 12 of the circuit breaker 10 with the actuator-reset unit 36 attached to the trip actuator by means of a pivot pin 50. The actuator-reset unit 36 is positioned next to the trip actuator to allow free movemen~ 0~ t~e armature 30 into contact with the trip bar 31 when the electromagnetic coil 2~ becomes energized. The reset lever ~5 on the actuator-reset unit returns the armature to the reset position under the 20~48~
return bias of the reset spring 37 when the circuit breaker operating mechanism is manually actuated to close the contacts in the manner to be described below in greater dPtail. The accessory lever 51 interacts with the accessory unit 54 shown in Figures 4 and 5 but which is removed from Figure 3 for purposes of clarity. The accessory unit is in the ~orm of an auxiliary switch which sits within the accessory recess 55 in the cover immediately above the trip actuator and actuator-reset lever 36. To protect the reset spring 37 ~rom the gaseous by-products that occur during arcing between the contacts upon contact separation undsr overcurrent conditions, a fiber shield 38 is arranyed about the reset spring and includes a side part 39, bottom part 40 and end part 41. The ~iber shield also shields the pivot pin 50 ~rom the gaseou~ by-products to ensure the long term operation of both the reset lever 45 and the accessory lever 51.
The operation of the actuator-reset unit 36 is best seen by rePerring now to the circuit breaker lO shown in Figure 4 where the movable contact arm 33 has responded to separat~ the contacts 24, 25 and the rrossbar 32 on the movable contact arm has rotated away from the roller 47 on the end o~ the inter~ace lever ~6. ~he interface lever forms one part of the actuator~reset lever 36 and provides ~echanical logic to the auxiliary switch unit 54 located within the accessory recess 55 in t~e cover 12 above the case 11. The other part of th~ actuator-reset lever comprises the reset lever 45 which is driven into contact with the armature 30 to reset the armature away from the trip bar 31 as described earlier. The actuator-reset unit 36 is pivotally attached to the housing 43, which supports the trip actuator 27, by means of a second pivot pin 44. The reset sp.ring 37 extends between the housing and the reset lever to bias the reset lever into contact with the armature 30 as shown in Figure 4. At the same ti.me, the interface lever 48 which connects with the actuator-reset unit by means of pivots 49 and 50, rotates clockwise about pivot pin 50 to drive the U-shaped end 52 of the attached accessory lever 51 into contact with the accessory unit lever 53 depending from tha bottom of the accessory unit 54. This indicates to a remot~ operator that the circuit breaker contacts have become separated and that circuit current to the related electrical equipment has become interrupted.
Upon ~losing the contacts by moving the movable contact arm 33 to the closed position indicated in Figure 5, the roller 47 follows the contour o~ the crossbar 32 to thereby rotate the actuator-reset unit 36 in the clockwise direction about pivot pin 44 and thereby move the reset lever 45 away from the armature 30 allowing the a~nature to next contact the trip bar 31 upon the occasion o~ a succeeding overcurrent condition. The reset spring 37 is stretched to iks maximum elongation and the U-shaped end 52 of the accessory levex 51 is rotated counterclockwise away ~rom the accessory unit lever 53 on the accessory unit 54 to indicate to the remote oparator that the circuit breaker contacts have closed and that the associated electrical equipment is once again operational~
The contacts are herein designated as the main movable contacts 24A and the arcing movable contacts 24B
to more fully describe the ~ormation and control of the arc that occurs when such contacts become separated under intense overcurrent conditions. The main moving contacts 24B separate from the main fixed contacts 25B on the line - 9 ~ ~lP~-6868 strap 57 before the movable arcing contacts 24A become separated from the fixed arcing contact 25A. To deter the transfer of the arc from ~he arcing contacts to the line strap, an insulating fiber or poly~ster strip 56 is positioned on the line strap, as indicated.
The embedment of khe fixed main contact 25B and thP
fixed arcing contacts 25A within the insulation fiber strip 56 iæ b~st seen by referring to the line strap 57 shown in Figure 6 prior to assembly. The line strap comprises an upper step 58 which supports the fixed arcing contact 25A as well as the arc runner 60 and line contact tPrminal threaded opening 61. The fixed main contacts 25B are attached to a lower step 59 which also contains the insulation strip 56. The insulation strip extends along both side~ of the arc runner to isolate the extent of the line strap from the arc and thereby promotes the direct transfer o~ the arc from the fixed arcing contact 25A to the arc runner 60 to prevent the arc from roo~ing on ~he line strap during intense circuit interruption conditions.
An accessory actuator-recet unit has herein been descxibed which interacts between the cixcuit breaker operating mechanism, the trip actuator and an accessory unit to both acti~at~ and de-activate the accessory while at the same time automatically resetting the trip actuator unit. Also dascribed is a means for promoting the transfer of khe arc to the arc runner within higher-rated circuit ~reakers amploying main and arcing corltacts .
The operation of the actuator-reset unit 36 is best seen by rePerring now to the circuit breaker lO shown in Figure 4 where the movable contact arm 33 has responded to separat~ the contacts 24, 25 and the rrossbar 32 on the movable contact arm has rotated away from the roller 47 on the end o~ the inter~ace lever ~6. ~he interface lever forms one part of the actuator~reset lever 36 and provides ~echanical logic to the auxiliary switch unit 54 located within the accessory recess 55 in t~e cover 12 above the case 11. The other part of th~ actuator-reset lever comprises the reset lever 45 which is driven into contact with the armature 30 to reset the armature away from the trip bar 31 as described earlier. The actuator-reset unit 36 is pivotally attached to the housing 43, which supports the trip actuator 27, by means of a second pivot pin 44. The reset sp.ring 37 extends between the housing and the reset lever to bias the reset lever into contact with the armature 30 as shown in Figure 4. At the same ti.me, the interface lever 48 which connects with the actuator-reset unit by means of pivots 49 and 50, rotates clockwise about pivot pin 50 to drive the U-shaped end 52 of the attached accessory lever 51 into contact with the accessory unit lever 53 depending from tha bottom of the accessory unit 54. This indicates to a remot~ operator that the circuit breaker contacts have become separated and that circuit current to the related electrical equipment has become interrupted.
Upon ~losing the contacts by moving the movable contact arm 33 to the closed position indicated in Figure 5, the roller 47 follows the contour o~ the crossbar 32 to thereby rotate the actuator-reset unit 36 in the clockwise direction about pivot pin 44 and thereby move the reset lever 45 away from the armature 30 allowing the a~nature to next contact the trip bar 31 upon the occasion o~ a succeeding overcurrent condition. The reset spring 37 is stretched to iks maximum elongation and the U-shaped end 52 of the accessory levex 51 is rotated counterclockwise away ~rom the accessory unit lever 53 on the accessory unit 54 to indicate to the remote oparator that the circuit breaker contacts have closed and that the associated electrical equipment is once again operational~
The contacts are herein designated as the main movable contacts 24A and the arcing movable contacts 24B
to more fully describe the ~ormation and control of the arc that occurs when such contacts become separated under intense overcurrent conditions. The main moving contacts 24B separate from the main fixed contacts 25B on the line - 9 ~ ~lP~-6868 strap 57 before the movable arcing contacts 24A become separated from the fixed arcing contact 25A. To deter the transfer of the arc from ~he arcing contacts to the line strap, an insulating fiber or poly~ster strip 56 is positioned on the line strap, as indicated.
The embedment of khe fixed main contact 25B and thP
fixed arcing contacts 25A within the insulation fiber strip 56 iæ b~st seen by referring to the line strap 57 shown in Figure 6 prior to assembly. The line strap comprises an upper step 58 which supports the fixed arcing contact 25A as well as the arc runner 60 and line contact tPrminal threaded opening 61. The fixed main contacts 25B are attached to a lower step 59 which also contains the insulation strip 56. The insulation strip extends along both side~ of the arc runner to isolate the extent of the line strap from the arc and thereby promotes the direct transfer o~ the arc from the fixed arcing contact 25A to the arc runner 60 to prevent the arc from roo~ing on ~he line strap during intense circuit interruption conditions.
An accessory actuator-recet unit has herein been descxibed which interacts between the cixcuit breaker operating mechanism, the trip actuator and an accessory unit to both acti~at~ and de-activate the accessory while at the same time automatically resetting the trip actuator unit. Also dascribed is a means for promoting the transfer of khe arc to the arc runner within higher-rated circuit ~reakers amploying main and arcing corltacts .
Claims (21)
1. A molded case circuit breaker accessory actuator-reset unit comprising in combination:
a trip actuator unit including a spring-loaded armature magnetically-held in an unactuated position and an electromagnet arranged for releasing said armature to an actuated position upon application of a current pulse to said electromagnet;
a means for resetting said trip actuator unit arranged proximate said trip actuator unit and including a reset lever at one end and an interface lever at an opposite end, said reset lever contacting said armature to drive said armature against said compression spring when said interface lever is contacted by a circuit breaker operating mechanism component, said reset lever in turn releasing said armature when said interface lever is released from said operating mechanism component; and a reset spring connecting between said trip actuator unit and said reset lever biasing said reset lever into contact with said armature.
a trip actuator unit including a spring-loaded armature magnetically-held in an unactuated position and an electromagnet arranged for releasing said armature to an actuated position upon application of a current pulse to said electromagnet;
a means for resetting said trip actuator unit arranged proximate said trip actuator unit and including a reset lever at one end and an interface lever at an opposite end, said reset lever contacting said armature to drive said armature against said compression spring when said interface lever is contacted by a circuit breaker operating mechanism component, said reset lever in turn releasing said armature when said interface lever is released from said operating mechanism component; and a reset spring connecting between said trip actuator unit and said reset lever biasing said reset lever into contact with said armature.
2. The accessory actuator-reset unit of claim 1 including an accessory lever pivotally attached to said interface lever and said reset lever whereby said accessory lever is moved to an actuated position when said interface lever is released from said operating mechanism component.
3. The accessory actuator-reset unit of claim 1 wherein said operating mechanism component comprises a crossbar.
4. The accessory actuator-reset unit of claim 1 wherein said trip actuator unit is partially encompassed by a housing and said interface lever and reset lever are pivotally attached to said housing.
5. The accessory actuator-reset unit of claim 2 including an accessory unit mounted above said trip actuator unit and reset means, said accessory unit in turn becoming actuated when said accessory lever as moved to said actuated position in contact with said accessory unit.
6. The accessory actuator-reset unit of claim 5 wherein said accessory unit comprises an auxiliary switch.
7. A molded case circuit breaker comprising:
a circuit breaker case and cover;
an operating mechanism within said case arranged for both separating a pair of contacts within said case upon overcurrent conditions through said contacts and electrically connecting said contacts under quiescent current conditions;
a trip actuator unit within said case articulating said operating mechanism upon occurrence of said overcurrent condition;
an accessory unit within said cover providing optional features in addition to overcurrent protection;
and an accessory actuator and reset unit within said case intermediate said trip actuator unit and said accessory unit actuating said accessory unit when said contacts become separated and resetting said trip actuator unit when said contacts become electrically connected.
a circuit breaker case and cover;
an operating mechanism within said case arranged for both separating a pair of contacts within said case upon overcurrent conditions through said contacts and electrically connecting said contacts under quiescent current conditions;
a trip actuator unit within said case articulating said operating mechanism upon occurrence of said overcurrent condition;
an accessory unit within said cover providing optional features in addition to overcurrent protection;
and an accessory actuator and reset unit within said case intermediate said trip actuator unit and said accessory unit actuating said accessory unit when said contacts become separated and resetting said trip actuator unit when said contacts become electrically connected.
8. The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said trip actuator unit includes an electromagnetic coil.
9. The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said trip actuator unit further includes an armature held against a compression spring forward bias by means of a permanent magnet.
10. The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said accessory actuator and reset unit includes a reset lever proximate said armature at one end and an interface lever proximate said operating mechanism at an opposite end.
11. The circuit breaker of claim 10 wherein said operating mechanism includes a movable contact arm carrying one of said contacts at one end and connected with a crossbar unit at an opposite end.
12. The circuit breaker of claim 11 including a roller on said interface lever arranged for contact by said crossbar unit to hereby actuate said accessory unit.
13. The circuit breaker of claim 11 wherein said accessory actuator and reset unit is pivotally-attached to said trip actuator unit.
14. The circuit breaker of claim 13 including an accessory lever pivotally attached to said accessory actuator and reset unit said accessory lever contacting said accessory unit to thereby actuate said accessory unit when said contacts become separated.
15. The circuit breaker of claim 10 including a reset spring connecting between said trip actuator unit and said reset lever biasing said reset lever into contact with said armature when said contacts are separated.
16. The circuit breaker of claim 7 wherein said accessory unit comprises an auxiliary switch.
17. A molded case circuit breaker comprising in combination:
a molded plastic case and cover;
a main movable contact and a main fixed contact within said case arranged for transferring steady state circuit current;
an arcing movable contact and an arcing fixed contact within said case and arranged for transferring fault current to an arc runner;
an operating mechanism within said case separating said main movable and fixed contacts upon occurrence of said fault current and then separating said arcing movable and fixed contacts thereby transferring said fault current to said arc runner; and said main fixed contact and said main arcing contact being arranged on a common line strap, said line strap including insulation means covering said line strap except for said main fixed contact, said arcing fixed contact and said arc runners.
a molded plastic case and cover;
a main movable contact and a main fixed contact within said case arranged for transferring steady state circuit current;
an arcing movable contact and an arcing fixed contact within said case and arranged for transferring fault current to an arc runner;
an operating mechanism within said case separating said main movable and fixed contacts upon occurrence of said fault current and then separating said arcing movable and fixed contacts thereby transferring said fault current to said arc runner; and said main fixed contact and said main arcing contact being arranged on a common line strap, said line strap including insulation means covering said line strap except for said main fixed contact, said arcing fixed contact and said arc runners.
18. The circuit breaker of claim 17 wherein said common line strap comprises an upper and lower stepped surface said main fixed contact being arranged on said upper stepped surface and said arcing fixed contact being arranged on said lower stepped surface.
19. The circuit breaker of claim 18 wherein said arc runner is arranged on said upper stepped surface.
20. The circuit breaker of claim 17 wherein said insulation means comprises a fiber strip.
21. The invention as defined in any of the preceding claims including any further features of novelty disclosed.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US653,388 | 1991-01-30 | ||
| US07/653,388 US5122771A (en) | 1991-01-30 | 1991-01-30 | Molded case circuit breaker combined accessory actuator-reset lever |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2056488A1 true CA2056488A1 (en) | 1992-07-31 |
Family
ID=24620658
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002056488A Abandoned CA2056488A1 (en) | 1991-01-30 | 1991-11-28 | Molded case circuit breaker combined accessory actuator-reset lever |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5122771A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2056488A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US5805041A (en) * | 1996-06-18 | 1998-09-08 | General Electric Company | Electronic trip unit conversion kit for high ampere-rated circuit breakers |
| DE19754071C1 (en) * | 1997-12-05 | 1999-07-15 | Siemens Ag | Switchgear unit with leading auxiliary switch |
| DE20109898U1 (en) * | 2001-06-13 | 2001-09-06 | Siemens Ag | Low-voltage circuit breaker with an electronic overcurrent release and release magnet |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3693122A (en) * | 1971-05-13 | 1972-09-19 | Gen Electric | Flux transfer trip device for electric circuit breakers |
| US4097831A (en) * | 1977-01-21 | 1978-06-27 | General Electric Company | Circuit breaker accessory tripping apparatus |
| US4589052A (en) * | 1984-07-17 | 1986-05-13 | General Electric Company | Digital I2 T pickup, time bands and timing control circuits for static trip circuit breakers |
| US4757294A (en) * | 1986-07-07 | 1988-07-12 | General Electric Company | Combined trip unit and accessory module for electronic trip circuit breakers |
| US4754247A (en) * | 1987-06-12 | 1988-06-28 | General Electric Company | Molded case circuit breaker accessory enclosure |
| US4794356A (en) * | 1987-12-16 | 1988-12-27 | General Electric Company | Molded case circuit breaker auxiliary switch unit |
| US4931758A (en) * | 1988-12-09 | 1990-06-05 | Circuit Breaker Industries Limited | Electro-magnetic shunt trip device |
-
1991
- 1991-01-30 US US07/653,388 patent/US5122771A/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-28 CA CA002056488A patent/CA2056488A1/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| US5122771A (en) | 1992-06-16 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued |